The decline of American V8 sedans: Europeans lead the charge
Much talk is about the end of gasoline-powered cars in the European Union and the decline of large "true" engines. Meanwhile, in the United States, the trend is similar. Regarding sedans with V8 engines, European brands dominate the offerings.
Are sedans with V8 engines the norm in the USA? Yes, but that was several decades ago. Currently, the market for V8 sedans in the States consists mainly of European cars. Audi S8 and RS7, BMW M550i, M5, 850i, and M8, Mercedes-AMG E63 and GT63. Additionally, there's the BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes S-Class. Other notable mentions are the Alpina B8, Bentley Flying Spur, Porsche Panamera Turbo, Maserati Ghibli, and Quattroporte. What about American cars?
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is one of the few American sedans with a V8 engine. There's also the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300, but their production has ceased, and the final cars are being sold off. The Chrysler 300 is not offered for the 2024 model year, and at the end of 2023, production of the Charger for the 2024 model year ended.
Among these dozen or so sedans equipped with a V8 engine, only one stands out. It's the Dodge Charger in R/T specification, which has a 5.7-liter HEMI engine under the hood and is the last American sedan with a naturally aspirated V8 engine in history. At least for now.
The last American naturally aspirated V8
However, there is one more sedan with a naturally aspirated V8 in the U.S. market, though it is not American. It's the Lexus IS500 with a 5-liter engine. Though rumors suggest 2024 will be its last year, it is still in production. For now, it is the only sedan with a naturally aspirated V8 that buyers in the United States can configure and purchase.
